I Might Be a Big Shot — Chapter 69
Changkong Zhuoyu stepped onto the clouds, approaching the Map of Mountains and Rivers. He reached out and took hold of the half-open scroll. With a slight exertion of his palm, the Map of Mountains and Rivers — which had resisted even the Nine-Tailed Fox’s utmost efforts — was easily rolled up.
His face turned pale as he spoke to the Twin Swords of Purple and Azure: “They’ve been trying to tear apart the space inside the Map of Mountains and Rivers. I can’t hold on for long. All my true essence is being used to suppress the demon clan. Take me to the Candle Dragon’s remains.”
The Twin Swords of Purple and Azure shone brilliantly, transforming once more into twin dragons. Changkong Zhuoyu sat cross-legged upon the violet dragon’s head, both hands gripping the trembling Map of Mountains and Rivers, and rode the dragon toward Heaven-Shaking Peak.
At the same time, several beams of light followed, flying with him toward Heaven-Shaking Peak.
When the Twin Swords of Purple and Azure carried Changkong Zhuoyu, clutching the Map of Mountains and Rivers, onto the Candle Dragon’s remains, they were joined by the Plain Cloud Realm Banner, the Yin-Yang Mirror, and the Karma Lamp. Including the Candle Dragon’s remains at Heaven-Shaking Peak itself, the Dark Yin Bell, and the Sacred Beast divine artifact, the nine great divine artifacts were finally gathered.
Heaven-Shaking Peak was one of the two great formation eyes of the Celestial Star Formation, governing the position of the Lunar Star and serving as one of the main battlefields. Now, the peak was strewn with the corpses of cultivators — righteous sect, Buddhist cultivators, even demonic cultivators.
“You’re still alive?” Changkong Zhuoyu asked suddenly.
Xuan Minglie, accompanied by his four Protectors, staggered forward, all grievously wounded. In a hoarse voice, he said, “I’m a blood cultivator — so long as my soul remains, I live. As for the four of them, the Sacred Beast immortal artifacts protected them from demonic corruption. Other than us five, not even an insect remains alive on Heaven-Shaking Peak.”
Changkong Zhuoyu’s grip on the Map of Mountains and Rivers tightened, veins bulging on his arms. He nodded. “Good enough. You can use two artifacts to suppress the Map of Mountains and Rivers for now. I need to set up the formation on the Candle Dragon’s remains. I can’t keep sealing the demonic energy forever.”
Xuan Minglie shook his head. “With our current true essence… it’s not enough.”
Changkong Zhuoyu frowned. “Is anyone else still alive?”
“Cough… by sheer luck, I survived under the Thorn Cutting Sword’s protection. Unfortunately, my life-bound sword is shattered; I doubt I’ll last long. I saw the Twin Swords of Purple and Azure’s light just now and followed it here.” Sage Yipin landed before Changkong Zhuoyu, coughing heavily. Covered in blood, he looked nothing like an immortal-boned Daoist — more like a war god. In his hand he clutched only the hilt of the Thorn Cutting Sword, yet it was clear he would still strike down an enemy without hesitation.
Changkong Zhuoyu nodded. The Twin Swords of Purple and Azure seemed to understand his intent, falling into Sage Yipin’s hand.
“They won’t acknowledge you as master, but as the head of Mount Shu, you bear the sect’s fate. They’ll let you wield them temporarily. Without their true master, the swords can’t unite, but with the Dark Yin Bell and the Sacred Beast divine artifact, it should be enough.”
Setting down the Map of Mountains and Rivers, the three divine artifacts pinned it in place. Yet the instant Changkong Zhuoyu let go, the power within the map flung all six of them away. Their combined strength simply wasn’t enough to suppress the demonic energy within.
Just then, over a dozen relics flew to Heaven-Shaking Peak. One merged with the Karma Lamp, making its flame blaze brighter. The lamp rose above the map, holding in the demonic energy that was about to escape.
Yipin and Xuan Minglie’s group, spitting blood, dragged themselves back and seized the three artifacts again. Only then was the map suppressed — though not for long.
The relics of the Tianyin Temple’s eminent monks…
Changkong Zhuoyu pressed his palms together and bowed deeply to the relics orbiting the Karma Lamp. Master Wuyin and the others had passed away, but their relics still guarded the mortal realm.
Now was no time for hesitation.
No matter how much he wanted to live, to see the world with his disciple by his side, it seemed impossible.
Under such calamity, how many could hope to survive?
They had met in the Soul-Breaking Gorge, never parted since, until separating days ago — never expecting it to be farewell.
Standing atop the Candle Dragon’s remains, at the formation’s core, Changkong Zhuoyu pressed his palm to the heart. He would use the divine power sealed in his body to awaken it.
Since his arrival in the cultivation world, he had never needed his full power. Now, he released all of his true essence. Power surged into the Candle Dragon’s body; Heaven-Shaking Peak quaked as stones and dust slid away. The mountain collapsed, revealing the colossal skeletal remains of a ferocious beast. Carved across its surface were profound formation patterns, with eight slots for artifacts — Map of Mountains and Rivers in its belly, Heaven-Mending Stone at its heart.
This would be his resting place — Changkong Zhuoyu would merge into it, never again to exist as himself, only as part of the Heaven-Mending Stone and the eight other artifacts, locked in eternal battle against the demonic energy.
“You should go.” His voice carried resolute finality. “The cultivation world has paid enough. With the younger generation still here, the legacy will endure.”
“Fellow Daoist Changkong…” Sage Yipin began.
But Changkong Zhuoyu waved his sleeve, and white clouds bore the six of them away.
From afar, they saw the artifacts sink into the Candle Dragon’s remains. The ancient divine formation activated, enclosing the area in a barrier more powerful than the Soul-Breaking Gorge’s natural defenses or any past formations. It would hold the demonic energy and artifacts inside until both perished.
As the leader of the artifacts, Changkong Zhuoyu vanished within.
From that day, the place would be hidden even from cultivators — no longer part of the mortal realm, but a battlefield of gods and demons.
Suddenly, a blood-red light split the sky, striking the barrier. Even from a thousand li away, they felt its suffocating baleful blood energy.
With a single sword stroke, the man in blood-red tore a gap in the barrier — yet held back the surging demonic energy with just his presence. Then he became a streak of blood and entered.
“Li Xinglun!” Xuan Minglie declared.
It could only be him.
At the heart of the Candle Dragon, Changkong Zhuoyu suddenly found himself in a familiar yet foreign embrace. The man’s power made even him tremble.
A familiar voice whispered: “Master…”
“Wah!” Changkong Zhuoyu couldn’t hold back. He threw his arms around the man's neck and, with no one else around, cried loudly.
All those days without his disciple — he had held it in. Now he wept without restraint.
~ Chapter End ~
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